Galaxy Station: Mission Control was overall, an enjoyable event for trance lovers like me. Hosted at 8th Wonder in downtown Houston, the venue added a casual charm, offering a variety of beer and THC seltzers, as well as several food trucks and picnic tables for relaxed seating. Restrooms were easy to access, with options both indoors and outdoors via portable toilets. It kind of gave festival vibes without the crowds and stress that comes with a full on festival.
While enjoyable, the event itself definitely was lacking in some areas. To put it bluntly, the sound and visual production left much to be desired, especially at the price point that was charged. The main stage sound quality was inconsistent at best with occasional popping and crunching noises that disrupted the music. I would later be told by friends who are more familiar with audio than I am that this was a result of either the DJ “redlining” or the sound tech pushing the system too hard.
The main stage itself and visual setup felt underwhelmingly small and hastily assembled. It only had four lasers and a limited number of lights for visuals, which failed to captivate or even properly light the DJs. For pretty much the entire night it was almost impossible to even see who was playing unless you were super close.
By contrast, the second stage had slightly better sound quality but was miniscule in size and otherwise barebones as far as any production. With just four rotating lights and a waist-high folding table, it was an awkward configuration that likely wasn’t ideal for some of the taller DJs posture. Usually you’d expect this kind of setup for a “locals only stage” but this had headliners on it too.
The meager stage and lighting setups were most likely due to the last-minute venue change from Bayou Music Center to 8th Wonder. Weeks before the event, attendees, including myself, were notified of its cancellation, and tickets were refunded. This gave the impression that the event organizers were disorganized and possibly failed to meet the requirements necessary to host the event at Bayou Music Center (this is just purely speculation on my end since I don’t know any details beyond the statement they released *seen below*). To make matters worse, instead of offering a credit for the new venue, attendees had to repurchase their tickets.
Despite all the cons, there were still pros that made the night fun. Even with a tiny bit of sprinkling here and there, the cooler temperatures made for a much nicer outdoor music experience than what us Texans are usually subjected to for summer fests. And even with the audio issues, I was still able to enjoy some amazing sets from incredible artists. My favorite sets were from Ilan Bluestone and Sarah de Warren, whose performances exceeded my expectations—even surpassing Markus Schulz. Ilan Bluestone’s melodic trance and progressive house, paired with Sarah de Warren’s energetic psytrance, were the highlights of my evening and the perfect way to close out the night.
Over all, I give this a 6/10
A solid 10 for the lineup/talent and a 2 for organization and production, which averages out to a 6. I’d return and look forward to hopeful improvements.
– Susan
*This was review was submitted by an attendee of the Galaxy Station event that happened in Houston, TX on December 7th 2024. The Department of Dance media staff were not on site or involved with the event in any capacity, and this reviewer is not affiliated with or part of our staff.*
